Here’s a healthy dose of subtle darkness. The person watering my plants might not find it humorous, but I do.
I just hope to God they’re alive when I get back. No pressure!
Adapted from The Seventh Seal (1957) Directed by Ingmar Bergman.
This Film Noiris about a man seeking answers about life, death, and the existence of God as he plays chess against the Grim Reaper during the Black Plague. The photo is from a movie still, and the text is not the original (as if). The original title was Det sjunde inseglet.
On a lighter note…I had the pleasure of finally meeting country recording artist Jenni Doyle. We have mutual friends who’ve been trying to get us together forever and finally Wednesday night we did manage to meet up. She has a wonderful voice and I have her CD “GratefulHeart.” Among her many accomplishments she’s sang “Oh Canada” in front of thousands of people at Rogers Arena and a Shania Twain tribute. But that don’t impress me much!
I look forward to our next visit. I intend to do a separate blog on only her very soon.
With Jenni Doyle at Palm Canyon Roadhouse in Palm Springs. Then on to Sammy G’s from there for a delicious dinner. Moez, her lovely and handsome husband, accompanied us.
Bouschet: best described as a specialty marketplace in Palm Springs offering a large selection of fine wines, liquor, craft beer, gourmet specialty foods, exquisite giftware, and an amazing bistro menu, weekly wine tastings, and special events. Yeah, that’s it. I’ve been for wine tastings and the other day right after A Curated Collection I had lunch there with friends. It was pretty darn good.
Al demonstrates to Candy how to use the Napa wine station card which is really cool. You load on the amount of your choice. Then use as a credit card to taste samples, half or full glasses of great wine. Love!
I was also lucky enough to get a sneak peek of a soon to be opened super cool lounge – called PS Air. My friend Candy introduced me to the owners who obliged us by opening a special bottle of wine reserved for a wine tasting that evening. It was outstanding. They were celebrating Black History Month by offering tastings of bottles by black winery owners. This particular wine was owned by the first black winery owners. Siblings Deneen, David & Coral Brown of Napa Valley. The bottle we tried was called Chaos Theory – a wine the Obama’s brought to the White house as one of their favorites. “Chaos” ha, ha. Nevermind!
Alison Martino, Candy Shannon Glickman & Kiki Tormo sitting in First Class. Photo: Candy Shannon Glickman.
Talking with Tom Beatty, one of the co-owners of PS Air – a lounge at the back of the store that is sure to become a Palm Springs Favorite. Opening late March.
About the Dynamic Duo:
Dennis Costa and Tom Beatty have been a successful duo for 22 years. Personally and professionally they have experienced some of the great pleasures that life can bring.
Kiki Tormo – from Candy’s photos.
Denniscomes from an Agricultural and Viticulture background. After a successful dairy business his family planted grapes and grew predominately for Sutter Home. Dennis also worked in his earlier years for Mondavi Wines of Woodbridge, which at that time had only one bottling line. After personally tending to the grapes from planting, growing, and harvesting almost 200 acres, they decided to sell the farm to Sebastiani Vineyards in 1999.
Tom, a native of Chicago, has worked an illustrious career as an International Flight Attendant for 33yrs. He has traveled to every continent except Antartica – which he claims would just be too cold for him. He has explored the world and enjoyed many different cultures, people, food, and of course wine. Together Dennis and Tom have traveled extensively and have been fortunate to savor some of the finest wines in the world.
Together with their love of wine they created Rainbow Ridge Wines which was featured in Wine Enthusiast Magazine and also Wine & Spirits Magazine. Their first varietal was an obscure grape by the name Alicante Bouschet. This wine received many awards and also ratings of 91 and 90 respectively. You may notice the name BOUSCHET reminiscence of their first endeavor. This wine was magical!
I’m ready for take off. Photo: Candy Shannon Glickman.
COME FLY WITH ME!
BOUSCHET – 611 S PALM CANYON DR (same shopping center as Revivals) (map)
When was the last time I posted a recipe here? It’s been a while considering I’m a person who likes to cook.
Spring greens with mixed tuna, fresh peas, green onion + jalapeño. Photo: d. king
But I’ve been going out a lot and when I’m not, I eat fairly simply at home. Nothing extravagant. Sometimes I just like to use stuff up in my fridge and see what I can make out of whatever is there. They say if you can make something out of nothing you’re a good cook. But this is not even cooking. Lately I’ve been making this salad here which is only unusual in the sense that I’ve never added two of the ingredients before. Jalapeños and peas! Whaaat?
Plus, I’ve never loved peas in general. At least the ones that come canned or frozen. I’ve been buying the shelled English peas at Trader Joe’s when available. They’re absolutely delicious. I put them in raw for added crunch. I also buy the jar of hot/sweet jalapeños. The combination of sweet/tart/hot/savory is a deliciously perfect balance with good fats and fibre thrown into the mix.
Ingredients:
1 can Albacore tuna (you can also use wild salmon or free-range hard boiled eggs).
Mix a can of water-packed albacore tuna with a little mayonnaise (or veggenaise), chopped green onions + black pepper as you would if you were making a sandwich.
Handful of Fresh English Peas (if you can find them. Otherwise edamame might work).
Organic Spring Mix Lettuces
jalapeños (mix of hot + sweet from a jar OR; finely chopped fresh, to taste).
For dressing drizzle organic extra virgin olive oil (the best you can afford), fresh squeezed lemon and a bit of soy sauce (or Mirin). s+p to taste (but you won’t need it) That’s it!
Here goes.…some cool classic, exotic and/or vintage cars (and people) seen over the weekend.
Seeing everything in Red+White. Photos: d. king
With Ramona
With friends Gary & Ramona. Gary buys, re-stores (if need be) and re-sells classic cars.
And the odd bike
Ramona stands by whatever this is. We’ll call it the mean, green road machine. You can say it captured our attention.
Rest of the Weekend:
At a Curated Collection
Candy & Tracy (from Candy’s photos)
There was some fantastic ART for sale Saturday at the official opening of the ART Hotel. These two pieces were my favorite. Cacti is by Zach Fleming & the Abstract is by Gerald Patrick. It was a fun afternoon with live music, wine, art, some collectors + a few new friends.
This is hotelier friend Tracy Turco wearing a vintage dress with Marilyn Monroe all over it and a great pair of heels (deserving of a closeup). The hotel itself is very funky. Tracy outfitted every room in her personal colorful manner – all differently. She put guitars in every room. Some come with turn tables + records. Now OPEN for business. Tiki hotel is in the works.
Then:
MODernism Yard Sale. Not to be outdone by:
Talking with Tom Beatty, one of the co-owners of a new first class lounge that is sure to become a Palm Springs Favorite. More on this later.
Kevin from @psoystersociety was at “Dead or Alive” last night serving up delicious lobster rolls & fresh oysters. He’s originally from Massachusetts. His delicious rolls sell out fast. Wine list is curated by Christine, the owner/sommelier of this great little wine bar. They have a live jazz trio every Friday 8-11 pm. Another hidden gem.
Pierre Cardin’s nephew Rodrigo Basilcati (in white shirt) flew in from Paris to represent his uncle, mayor of Palm Springs, Geoff Kors (in suit), documentarians P. David Ebersole (kneeling) + Todd Hughes (yellow sunglasses) – both self-confessed CARDINaholics. They just can’t help themselves. They’re obsessed! Photo: d. king
Walk of Fame
February 20th is now declared Pierre Cardin dayin Palm Springs. The 97 year old fashion ICON received a star on the walk of fame presented by his designer nephew who flew all the way from Paris to honor his uncle. Todd Hughes, along with partner P. David Ebersole and producers Cori Coppola and Alison Martino (who were also in attendance), put together a most amazing documentary of the now-97-year-old fashion icon. House of Cardin is a rare peek into the mind of a genius and his epic design empire, an authorized feature documentary chronicling the life and design of a true original. I was lucky to be among the first to see it at the Palm Springs Film Festival (PSIFF). It was fabulous. Cardin really was a futurist. There were interviews with Sharon Stone, Naomi Campbell and more. And like the film Judy many of the younger generation surprisingly have never heard of him. If you love fashion, House of Cardinis NOT to be missed.
A little Palm Springs Trivia: Monsieur Cardin once owned hotel Maxim de Paris, at what is now the Hyatt.
With Todd Hughes – a self confessed CARDINaholic
Candy with designer Rodrigo
With Alex Gildzen, Candy Shannon Glickman and Claudia Ried (PSPOV). Oh yeah; and Layla wearing Poochie.
These women just wanna have fun. They’re doing a great job too.
This is the last weekend of Modernism here in Palm Springs. The signature February Event is an annual celebration of mid century modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture. Modernism Week features more than 350 events including the Modernism Show & Sale, Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike tours, tours of Sunnylands, fashion, classic cars, modern garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more. Whew!
At classic + vintage car show at convention centre. Standing in front of a T-bird. Ride with Style tank (from Just Fabulous – it’s just a fabulous store in Palm Springs. Top made especially for them.
Going to the classic McCormick’s car auction to check out some beauties. Just window shopping (I think).
With so much happening in such a short time, it’s almost impossible to do it all. Although it appears a few of my friends are doing exactly that. This will be worthwhile for those into collectibles: A CURATED COLLECTION….
Wishing a wonderful weekend to all
Photo: with Todd Hughes, Candy Shannon Glickman, Shannon Metcalf, Claudia Ried, Kellee McQuinn, P. David Ebersole and Henry Jeannerot.
What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Watching a runway show of the finest vintage apparel with friends. And with a few friends in the show too! Hosted at Temple Isaiah, a midcentury building during Modernism Week here in Palm Springs with renowned Fashion Icon Patrick McDonald as our M/C. Music was from Studio 54 days. Loved it!
Showcasing EmilioPucci ,Givenchy, Lanvin, YvesSaintLaurent, and Halston.
Individual Photos: Kathy Wright
Compiled Photos: d. king
With Tammy (L) and Kathy (R).
We were greeted and escorted to the stunning Warsaw ballroom to enjoy a glass of wine, bubbly or beverage and an assortment of lite bites. We were also able to shop before and after the show at the Mitchells Palm Springs & Candice Held Pop Up Shops.
A portion of proceeds from this event were donated back to Temple Isaiah.
With Tammy, Kiki, Mitchell (of Mitchells Palm Springs), Claudia Ried (of PSPOV – Palm Springs Point of View), Candy (wearing California Caftans), Kathy and M/C Patrick McDonald.
Good Time Girls. This was taken at Tracy’s Tiki Party. Kiki (L) and Candy (R). Because these women are the embodiment of Vintage Chic and/or Fun Style. They’ve brought color back into my life.
Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could – Louise Erdrich
A cute story as told by a friend:
When I was a young child, my mother used to tape silhouette figures of cupid on a few of the walls in our house as Valentine’s Day approached. And being a youngster, I never quite understood why it was that she did that. When I asked she’d say that cupid (whoever that was) would be visiting me while I slept and would shoot an arrow of love through my heart. The tooth fairy is a better story; at least you wake up with money under your pillow.
Of course as a child that didn’t exactly sound like it was a good thing to have some unknown figure shoot an arrow through my heart. I saw what happened to those so unlucky on television when I’d watch the adventures of Robin Hood. But my mom tried to reassure me that it wasn’t like that.
The next morning we’d get a card and some chocolate; and at school girls would send me cards saying be my Valentine.
And now as a grown man I understand love isn’t something you get to plan on your own terms. It’s something, some magic or energy that overtakes you like an arrow in the night while you sleep. One whose purpose is to set us free.
It’s all a mystery to me, but without love, life would be meaningless and empty. So embrace love every day; not just today!
Casa Cody is the oldest operating hotel in Palm Springs. All of the buildings at Casa Cody tell a story. I explored the now designated historic preservation site the other day.
On the grounds. Photo: d. king
The property was founded in the 1920’s by Hollywood pioneer, Harriet Cody, cousin to the legendary, Buffalo Bill. The hotel is nestled against the spectacular San Jacinto mountains, in the heart of Palm Springs.
Photo: d. king
History of the hotel: In the early 1900’s, Harriet and Harold Bryant Cody came by wagon from Hollywood to Palm Springs. They settled on land that was to become Casa Cody and built a home. By the 1920’s, Harriet established the property as a hotel and it became the stomping grounds for legends of the arts community, visiting the desert. Charlie Chaplin, American Opera Singer Lawrence Tibbett and AnaÏs Nin spent time here, particularly in the Adobe House, where a stage was built and Tibbett’s piano was kept below the House for performances and parties. Charlie Chaplin was rumored to have performed on the stage in the living room.
Photo: d. king
Photo: d. king
Photo: d. king
Outside the Adobe House
Inside the boudoir of the Adobe House where Charlie Chaplin resided. Photo: d. king
Casa Cody combines glamour, history and just plain breathtaking beauty at every glance.
If anybody knows how to throw the perfect themed tea party, it’s Tracy Turco.
Sweet Spot. Photo: d. king
Originally from Miami, the multi-faceted entrepreneur now splits her time between living in New York City and Palm Springs. Fairly new to Palm Springs, Tracy Turco (nee Stern) is quickly becoming the toast of the town. And for good reason. She’s like a modern day Renaissance woman. In fact she’s been called that before in writing in reference to her extremely diverse taste in fashion and décor. Let’s just say it’s never boring. And I’m happy to call her my friend.
Tracy wears her own design. My dress by Trina Turk.
Husband Jerry looks on as Tracy cuts into her exquisite birthday cake from Over the Rainbow desserts. It was Over the Top good. Photo: d. king
The sweet life. Tracy made some of these herself. All amazingly good. Photo: d. king
On Sunday I had the pleasure of celebrating her birthday alongside her husband Jerry, their friends and a few neighbors in their fabulous Tiki inspired home in the Little Tuscany neighborhood of Palm Springs. The dress code was colorful to blend in with the surroundings, including a canary yellow T-bird convertible classic parked outside the entrance. Or shall we call it a TEA bird?
Tracy really has a natural flair for throwing it all together in a seemingly effortless looking fashion. She’s a gracious host and we all enjoyed the best sweet little treats ever while sipping on champagne, wine and of course, tea. Mind you, not just every day tea. Especially mixed by Tracy herself, very elegant, unusual and delicious. They are blended with an artist’s palette. In fact, Tracy’s premier tea collection Salon Tea, once earned her a spot in Oprah’s Favorite Things. Always full of surprises, I just learned that she previously owned a Salon Tea on South Granville Street in Vancouver.
Iced Tea and Tea Party book by Tracy Turco. Photo: d. king
Tea is only a part of what Tracy is passionate about. She’s an artist, art collector, animal advocate, author, designer, hotelier. I hope I didn’t leave anything out. Oh yes, one more thing…she has a good heart by offering a philanthropic donation to the public art fund from anyone staying at her new Art Hotel. A tiki hotel is next. She is both a savvy business woman and a nice overall person in general.
For those who are inclined to do so themselves, Tracy has written two incredible DIY books: Tea Party and Tea For You. Link below.
Tiki House. Photo: Tammy Preast
A few guests perfectly blending in with the surroundings. Photo: d. king
There was some fantastic ART for sale Saturday at the official opening of the 
Book:
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.